You think a cartel war would be easy?

Here is a DEA map of cartel presence inside the United States

The Sinaloa Cartel maintains the most significant presence in the United States. They are the dominant cartel along the West Coast, through the Midwest, and into the Northeast

While CJNG’s presence appears limited to the West Coast, it is a cartel of significant concern, as it is quickly becoming one of the most powerful organizations in Mexico, and DEA projects its presence to grow in the United States over the next year

In contrast, Mexican cartels such as the Gulf, Juarez, and Los Zetas hold more significant influence closer to the Southwest Border

Mexican cartels pose the greatest criminal drug threat to the United States. No other group is currently positioned to challenge them.

Here is a map of cartel presence in Mexico

This map by Stratfor shows cartel presence combined with drug routes from China and South America

As always, maps cut through the rhetoric